EARLIER: Leading the Detroit Tigers to the World Series and winning the American League Triple Crown wasn't enough for Octavio Dotel.

Dotel, the Tigers' veteran reliever, wanted Miguel Cabrera to take a bigger leadership role in the clubhouse. During the American League Division Series against the Oakland Athletics last October, Dotel suggested Cabrera hold a team meeting after heart-breaking 4-3 loss in Game 4, but Cabrera declined to agree.

"You have to step up and say something," Dotel told Yahoo! Sports. "Miggy's more about his game. I don't see him as a leader."

Let it be known Dotel never questioned his performance on the field, where Cabrera hit .330 with 44 home runs and 139 RBI to win the first Triple Crown in 45 years.

In fact he compared Cabrera to Los Angeles Angels slugger Albert Pujols and New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez.

"If we didn't have Miggy," he said, "I don't know what would happen to us. Miggy is special."

It's the off the field leadership Dotel would like to see Cabrera embrace.

But that doesn't fit Cabrera's personality. He is quiet person and likes to have fun off the field.

The alternative solution is coming this season. Designated hitter Victor Martinez, who missed the 2012 season with an injury, is returning and the addition of outfielder Torii Hunter, Cabrera may be the answer to what Dotel is looking for.